My Mother — Page 149
Farewell 149 by slow stages so as to guard against a sudden drop of pressure. Mother stood the journey very well. Though the departure of the train was scheduled for midnight, everyone was comfort- ably settled in their accommodation after dinner. I was to sleep in the Railway Rest House and return to Simla early next morn- ing. About 10:00 p. m. Mother suggested that I should retire. She stood up to embrace me, whereupon Dr. Latif protested, ‘Mother, Mother, please keep lying down. ’ She smiled wanly and remarked, ‘My dear, I have plenty of time to keep lying down, but I know not whether I shall meet him again. ’ I told the two servants who had come with us from Simla and were to return with me next morning to remain in attendance at the railway station till the departure of the train, and I went to the Rest House, not far away. Next morning when I was ready to leave, I found them stretched out on the wooden floor outside my door. I asked them why had they not slept in bed. They explained that after I had left the station Mother having noticed them on the platform outside her carriage told them to go immediately to the Rest House and to be sure to sleep outside my door. On Monday I telephoned Delhi and was told that Mother was feeling better and was cheerful. About midday she had complained of nausea but it did not last long. On Tuesday I tel- ephoned in the morning and evening and was told each time that she was no worse. On Wednesday morning, May 11, her condition was the same. In the afternoon Ch. Bashir Ahmad telephoned: ‘About midday the condition of aunt’s heart deteriorated. She was given some injections and has rallied. She is conscious, is feeling